Device for transporting human bod



Patented Aug. .4, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATET @rrrcs.

JAMES D. MARSTON, OF ENGLEW OOD, AND GEORGE CLAPP, OF OAK I PARK, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING HUMAN BODIES.

I lECIFICA'lION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,515, dated August 4. 1885.

Application filed January 30, 1835. [N model.)

panying drawings, forming part of this specitication.

In the transportation, by railroads, steamboat lines, and the like, of human bodies, such as have died of contagious diseases, there is constant danger of spreading the contagion by reason of the germs of disease escaping from the coffins or shipping-cases. Moreover, in

transporting bodies that have died from noncontagious diseases noxious odors, caused by the process of decomposition and escaping from the coffins, are often most distressing to the persons forced to handle the coffins or remain near the same. Even when the bodies are inclosed in hermetically-sealed caskets, the jarring of the cars or in handling is apt to loosen the joints of the caskets and permit the gases to escape therefrom.

Our present invention has for its object to provide an improved shroud wherein human bodies may be inclosed for transportation, and which may be hermetically sealed, so that no noxious odors or germs of disease can possibly escape therefrom.

Our invention consists in the improved construction of shroud hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of our improved shroud. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section on line a; of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, showing the mouth of the shroud in open position.

A designates the main portion of the shroud or bag, which is formed, preferably, of rubber or rubber cloth in substantially tubular shape. The upper portion, A, of the-shroud, in which is formed the opening a for the admission of the body, is extended at right angles to the main portion, so that after the body is within the shroud, and the latter has been placed within the coffin or shipping-box, (shown by dotted lines.) a ready inspection of the face may be had by simply opening the mouth of the shroud. This provision of an opening at the side of the-shroud is important, for where the opening is formed in the end the face of the corpse cannot be seen without withdrawing the body from the coffin.

The mouth of the shroud is preferably provided upon its inner edge with rubber or other cement, a, (which while in disuse maybe covered bya suitable eloth,) so that when the edges of the mouth of the shroud are pressed together they will firmly adhere and tend to hermetically seal the shroud. When the mouth is thus closed, the portion above the attached lacing strips 13 will be rolled or folded over upon itself, as seen in Fig. 2, until the edges of the strips B can be tightly drawn by the cords C over such rolled or folded portion. The shroud being thus sealed, it will be found that no noxious odors or germs of disease can possibiy escape from the body contained therein. Moreover, the flexible material of which the shroud is formed avoids all danger of the herinetical sealing of the mouth a being aifected by the jarring movement of the cars or in handling the coffin.

The sides of the main portion of the shroud are provided with suitable handles whereby it may be lifted into and withdrawn from the coiiin or shippingbox.

Rubber or rubber cloth is regarded as the best material whereof to form the shroud; but, if desired, other material capable of be ing hermetically sealed may be substituted therefor, and, if desired, some preservative substance-such as carbolic acid, creosote, or the like-may be incorporated with the material of which the shroud is formed. 80, also, without departing from the broad scope of our invention, other means for hermetically closing the side opening in the shroud may be employed.

\Vc are aware that it has been heretofore proposed to inclose human bodies in elastic receptacles or bags having one end open to admit the body, and having means for closing such end; but we are not aware that prior to our present invention it has ever been proposed to make an air-tight shroud having a side opening adapted to receive the human body and to be hermetically sealed, and side opening adapted to be hermetically closed, IO through which the face of the body could be and through which the face of the body may seen. be seen, substantially as described.

Havin thus described our invention, what T 5 we claim as new, and desire to secure by LetgE g C A ters Patent, is

As a new article of manufacture, an air- \Vitnesses: tight bag or shroud to receive a human body, JAMES SUYDAM,

said bag being provided near one end with a GEO. I FIsHER, Jr. 

